Even though smart TVs are the “in thing” right now, many people prefer to stick with their non-smart TVs.
After all, they are cheaper, energy-efficient, more secure, and less complex to operate.
With the right equipment, such as a streaming stick or an Android box, a regular TV can do as much as the smarter options.
Besides, you can connect your Android phone to your non-smart TV and cast your phone’s content to your TV screen.
This option allows you to view photos, watch videos, browse the web, listen to music, and play online games without requiring complex gadgets.
Read on to learn how to connect an Android phone to a non-smart TV.
TOP OPTIONS
Use a USB Cable
Use an MHL or Slimport cables
Use Screen Mirroring (Miracast)
Use Google Chromecast
Use AnyCast
Use an Android TV box
1. USB Cable
One of the easiest ways to connect an Android phone to a non-smart TV is to use a micro USB cable.
However, you must confirm if your TV supports USB connections since not all non-smart models have this feature.
Follow these steps to connect your Android phone to non-smart TV via USB:
1) Locate the USB port on your TV
2) Connect the Android phone and your non-smart TV with the micro USB cable (or USB-C cable)
3) Go to your phone’s USB settings
4) Under “Use USB for,” select File Transfers or MTP mode
5) Press the Home button on your TV’s remote control
6) Go to Media
7) Select Photo, Video, or Music to view and play the content from your phone
Connecting an Android Phone to a Non-Smart TV via USB Cable
2. Android to HDMI Adapter
Another easy way to connect your Android phone to your non-smart TV is to use an Android-to-HDMI connector.
HDMI has become the standard connection for digital media players, and most TVs, including non-smart options, have an HDMI port.
The latest Android-to-HDMI connectors are MHL and Slimport.
MHL works with older non-smart TV models, while Slimport is suitable for newer non-smart digital models.
If your Android phone has a micro HDMI connector, you can use it to connect to your non-smart TV without requiring an adapter.
Connecting an Android Phone to a Non-Smart TV Using an MHL/Slimport Adapter
3. Screen Mirroring
You can connect your Android phone to your non-smart TV through screen mirroring.
Screen mirroring is a feature in most of the latest TVs and Android devices that allows you to display the screen of your phone on the TV to watch videos, share photos, and browse the web.
The latest non-smart TVs support screen mirroring using technologies like Miracast, which don’t require an internet connection.
Miracast connects wirelessly to compatible devices using the Wi-Fi Direct standard, establishing a direct connection between your TV and Android phone.
Here are the steps to connect your Android phone to your non-smart TV using screen mirroring:
1) Press the INPUT button on your TV’s remote
2) Select Screen Mirroring
3) Go to your phone’s display settings
4) Tap Screen Mirroring [Your phone will automatically search for nearby devices]
5) Tap your TV’s model name on your phone’s screen
6) Your Android screen will appear on the TV
Connecting an Android Phone to a Non-Smart TV Using Screen Mirroring
4. Google Chromecast
Google Chromecast is a small gadget that you can plug into your TV’s HDMI port to stream content from your Android phone to your non-smart TV.
The device is compatible with most digital non-smart televisions made in the past few years.
Follow the steps below to connect your Android phone to non-smart TV using Chromecast:
1) Plug the Chromecast dongle into your TV’s HDMI port
2) Install and launch the Google Home app on your Android phone
3) Set up Chromecast on your TV using the app
4) Select Chromecast and connect it to your wireless network
Your Android phone and TV are now connected as you can control the Chromecast dongle plugged into your TV using the Google Home app on your phone.
5. Anycast
Anycast is a screen-casting device that allows you to seamlessly cast the multimedia content of your Android phone to your non-smart TV.
However, Anycast requires an internet connection to connect your phone to your non-smart TV.
Here are the steps:
1) Plug Anycast into your TV’s HDMI port
2) Connect Anycast to the power adapter
3) Turn on your TV
4) Tap your phone’s Wi-Fi settings
5) Search for Anycast on your phone’s Wi-Fi menu and tap on the device name
6) Enter the password shown on your TV screen
7) Go to your phone’s display settings
8) Select screen mirroring or screen casting
How to Set Up and Use AnyCast
6. Android TV Box
Sometimes, connecting your Android phone to your non-smart TV is not all about screen-casting and screen mirroring.
You can use your Android phone as your TV’s remote control, but first, you must convert your non-smart TV into an Android TV.
This point is where Android TV boxes and streaming sticks come into play.
1) Connect the Android TV box to your TV via the HDMI port
2) Press the SOURCE button on your TV’s remote to select the appropriate input
3) Go to the Android TV box settings
4) Select Network Settings and connect to your local network
5) Your non-smart TV is now an Android TV
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To connect and use your Android phone as a remote:
1) Download the Google TV app on your Android phone
2) Launch the Google TV app
3) Tap Remote at the bottom right corner
4) Tap scanning for devices at the top corner of the app
5) Select the name of your Android box from the search results
6) Follow the on-screen instruction to pair your phone and TV
7) You can now use your phone as a remote
Best Android Boxes to Buy
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How do I connect my Android phone to my normal TV?
Answer: One of the quickest and simplest ways to connect your Android phone to your normal TV is with a cable. You can connect your phone to your TV through a micro USB cable as long as the telly supports it. HDMI connections require a Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) adapter to connect your mobile device to your TV.
Question: How can I connect my Android phone to non-smart TV using USB?
Answer: Your non-smart TV must support USB connections to connect your Android phone to the television via USB. The latest non-smart TV models released from 2017 onward support micro USB connections. Connect the Android phone to the TV via USB and set the USB settings on the phone to MTP mode or File Transfers.
Question: How do I cast my Android phone to a non-smart TV?
Answer: One of the easiest ways to cast your Android phone to a non-smart TV is to use a wireless dongle like Chromecast or Anycast. However, these devices require an internet connection. The good news is that some non-smart TVs support screen mirroring with display technologies like MiraCast, which do not require an internet connection.
Question: How can I connect my Android phone to my non-smart TV without Wi-Fi?
Answer: You can connect your Android phone to your non-smart TV without Wi-Fi using a micro USB cable or an Android-to-HDMI adapter. The latest Android-to-HDMI connectors are MHL and Slimport. MHL works with older TV models, while Slimport is suitable for newer models. If your Android phone has a micro HDMI connector, you can use it to connect to your non-smart TV without an adapter.
Question: How can I see my phone screen on my TV?
Answer: The latest digital non-smart TVs support screen mirroring, allowing you to see your phone screen on your TV. This feature creates a direct wireless connection between your phone and TV with no internet required. Press the input button on your TV’s remote and select screen mirroring. Next, turn on screen mirroring in your phone’s settings menu.